Adam Charge Upheld

CHARLIE ADAM will serve an immediate three-match domestic ban after the FA upheld their decision to charge the midfielder for violent conduct earlier today.

The Scotland international is alleged to have purposely stamped on Olivier Giroud during the Potters’ recent 1-0 triumph over Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium.

The incident wasn’t seen by referee Mike Jones during the encounter, however, it was picked up on video following the conclusion of the game.

The Club vigorously appealed the initial decision prior to Tuesday’s 6pm deadline, but despite that the FA have decided to uphold the charge against the 28-year-old.

An FA statement read: “Stoke City’s Charlie Adam will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after an FA charge for violent conduct was found proven.

“The incident with Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, occurred during the fixture between the two sides at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday 1 March 2014.

“Adam had denied the charge, but it was found proven at an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Wednesday 5 March 2014].”

Stoke City Chief Executive Tony Scholes spoke of his disappointment at the decision to stokecityfc.com, saying: “I am extremely disappointed for the effect that this is going to have on Charlie and on the football club.

“However, I am not surprised because clubs like ours very rarely succeed in appeals to the FA.

“We put together a strong defence which was based upon the facts, which were that Charlie needed to plant his foot, and in changing direction his eyes followed the ball at all times.

“How can anybody other than Charlie say what intent was there, and how can the FA possibly justify this decision in the light of recent incidents which were far worse at other clubs, which have gone unpunished?”

The suspension means that the 28-year-old will be forced to sit out the forthcoming Barclays Premier League encounters against Norwich City, West Ham United and Aston Villa.